Hydrocarbon-furnace



(No Model.) heats-sheen. l

V.IW. BLANCHARD.

Hydrocarbon Furnace.

No.zsg'noe. Patented-April 5,1881.

l1 w lll f (N'Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2r V.Y W. BLANCHARD. r

Hydrocarbon Furnace.

y No. 239,266. Patented April 5,1881.

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ILPErERs. PHOTD-LITHOGRAPNER. WASHINGToN. D, C

UNITED ySirarasn PATENT (Dritten.x

VIRGIL YV. BLANCHARD, OF WEYBRIDGE, VERMONT.

HYDROCRBONfFURNACE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 239,706, dated April.5, 1881.-

Appncaaon filed March 1s, issu. (No model.)

To all whom it may concer-n:

Be it known that I, VIRGIL W. BLANCHARD, of lVeybridge, in the county ofAddison andr State of `Vermont, have invented certain new;

5 and useful Improvements in Hydrocarbon-` Furnaces; and I do herebydeclare that the following is afull, clear, and exact description. ofthein ven tioi1,which will en able others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and ro use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon,which form a part of this specification. 1

My invention consists in an improved furnace for burning ordinary fuel,such as wood, anthracite or bituminous coal,` or for burning such fuelin combination with liquidfueh-or or burning liquid fuel alone. and ineach yinstance realizing from the fuel used the lnost zo `desirableresults in theprocess of its combustion. i

lt also consists in the use of an 'aireheater of novel construction,that may be applied to the tire or fuel chamber of an ordinaryfurz 5nace, by means of which a more perfect combustion of the fuel burned onthe grate-bars may be realized than would be possible if burned bythe'usual method.

It also consists in a novel combination he- 3o tween the aforesaidair-heating device and an apparatusfor conveying into the fire or fuelchamber and dispersing therein liquid fuel, and ot' surrounding thelatter with the most l favorable conditions for the process of ignitionand combustion.

It also consists in a novel combination between the air-heater aforesaidand the tire or fuel chamber, the latter being provided withsuitableopenings, so that the ashes or uncon 4o sinned portions of thefuel that may be consumed in the fire or fuel chamber may be preventedfrom mixing with the fuel upon the grate-bars, and at the same time beeasily removed from the fuel-chamber by the operator.

It still further consists inthe combination, with the parts alreadyenumerated,of a Ysecondary air-heater similar in construction to the oneaforesaid, by means of which a more perfect combustion of the fuel maybe realized 5o than would otherwise be possible.

It also-consists in a combination between the elements aforesaid, and anair-heater, a

elevation, partly in section.

fan, or air-pump, together with suitable pipes and stop-cocks, sothatthe ash-pit beneath the grate-bars and the twoair-heaters aforesaid,together with the apparatus for dispersing liquid fuel, may be suppliedwith a current of heated air under pressure sufficient to enable Veachto perform the proper function devolving upon it.

It consists,lastly, inthe use ofan air-heater external to and separatefrom the fire or fuel chamber,in combination with the elementsaforesaid, by means of which heat derived from the waste gases from thefurnace, or from the exhaust-steam from the cylinder of asteam-engine,maybe communicated to theicurrent of air, in its passage from the fan orair-pump, before it enters the ash-pit and the air-heaters in the iireor fuel chamber aforesaid, thus utilizing it and realizing the greatesteconomy in fuel in the practica-l operation of the furnace.

In the annexed drawings, Figure l-is a side Fig. 2 is a front elevation,partly in section. Fig. 3 is a central vertical section, taken o n lineas or, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section, taken on line y y, Fig.2; and Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the disk.

A represents a furnace, having connected with it. the ordinary tubularboiler.

Brepresents the ash-pit, and C the grate-V bars, which do not differfrom those in ordinary use.

D represents a door, through which fuel may be introduced into thefuel-chamber.

E represen ts a piimary air-heater, and serves as a partition-wallbetween the fuel-chamber F and the primary combustionchamber G, havingan opening,'H, that' connects one with the other. It will be observedthat the air-heater E is composed of the two plates ,c a', having aspiral channel, b,formed between them, which connects with a cylindricalvertical cavity, H', formed by the tube I within the `tube l', the saidcavity between said tubes being closed at its extremity at c, and thewall of the inner tube, l, being provided with the pcriorations d,

so that a current of air forced into the spiral column `b of theair-heater E at its outside or marginal portion, (shown at e,) afterpassing through said spiralcolumn,would bedischargcd `through theperforations d into the tube I', that "connects the fuetchamber F withthe primary IOC derstood not to limit the length of these tubes,

but desire to claim them ot' a'length suitable to meet the want requiredot' them. In the melting of ores and reducing of minerals their lengthmight require to be extended, and the position of the air-heater Einserted in a suitable chamber, so that an action similar to a blow-pipeof the gases ot' combustion passing through them might be experienced bythe substance to be melted or reduced beneath them. I would beunderstood to claim this as anecessary modification. Under certaincircumstances the tubular portion of the air-heater 'E may be dispensedwith, a single tube of sufficient length to connect the two plates ofsaid air-heater being used as a substitute. By perforating the wall ofthis shortA tube the fresh heated air may be discharged into thecylindrical opening in said air-heater H precisely in the mannerheretofore described. I

-would be understood to claim this modification as a substitute for thetubular extremity, heretofore clearly set forth.

J represents four columns or supporters to the air-heater E, extendingthrough the fuelchamber and resting on the grate-surface. Although theair-heater E is shown as firmly counected to the fuel-chamber F, still,under certain circumstances, it would be highly advantageous to have itseparate from said chamber, supported, as shown, by the four uprightcolumns. It may be used either as a permanent fixture or separate fromthefurnace.

K represents a disk composed ot the two plates ff closely approximatingeach other, the space between said plates being continuous with the pipeL, that passes out of the primary combustion chamber G and enters thebottom of the receptacle M.

N represents a pipe passing downward into the receptacle M., andterminating by a free extremity near the free extremity of the pipe L,that enters the bottom of the receptacle M, so that a current of air orsteam, or any suitable gaseous element or elements, passing from thesteam-boilerO through said pipe N would enter the pipe L and bedischarged in the pri.- mary combustion-chamber G in a lateral directionimmediately above the cylindrical opening in the air-heater E. Hence,itv liquid fuel should be introduced into the receptacle M it would, byits gravity, pass between the free extremities of the pipes L N, nearthe bottom .of said receptacle, and be connected by a current of agaseous element or elements passing through the said pipes L N into theprimary combustion-chamber G, and be dispersed in a lateral direction bysaid gaseous element or elements directly abovethe cylindrical openingin the air-heater E. In certain cases, in the treatment and reduction otores and minerals, it will be found necessary to dispense with the disk,and to inject the liquid fuel, either laterally or vertically, into thecurrent of combustible gases as they' issue from the cylindricalaperture H in the primary airheater E, rather than dispersing them in alateral direction by the disk K. In this case the disk K would simplyrequire removal and the direction of the free extremity ot' the pipe Lchanged, if necessary, in its direction.

g represents two openings into the primary combustion-chamberimmediately above the upper surface ot` the primary air-heater E,through which a proper instrument or tool may be introduced for theremoval of thc ashes or the unconsumed portion of the fuel that may beintroduced into this chamber in the manner described through the pipe'Lfrom the receptacle M.

P represents a conical secondary air-heater constructed and fashionedlike the primary airheater F already described, with the exception thatthe two plates between which the spiral passage is formed are conical inform, in stead ot' being a fiat or plain surface, and that the marginaloutline of said plates is cylindrical, instead of being square. lt willbe observed that this secondary air-heater P is movable, it beingattached to the Hue-surface of the tubular boilerO by three stout tubes,which enter three ues of said boiler, and may be removed by uncouplingthe pipe z, that supplies air to its interior spiral column.

Q represents a secondary combustion-chamber, bounded by the flue-surfaceof the tubular boiler and conical wall of the secondary airheater l?. Itwill be observed that there is a continuous passage from the primarycombustion-chamber G through the tubular cylindrical extremity of thesecondary air-heater P, and thence through the secondarycombustionchamber to the flues of the tubular boiler O.

R represents a fan, to which motion maybe communicated by means ot' thesteam generated in the stealn -boiler O, and properly applied to anordinary steam-en gine.

S represents a pipe leading from the fau R through the air-heater T. Itwill be observed that this pipe, in its passage through the airheater,is coiled, as shown ath. It will still further be observed that the pipeS, after passing through the air-heater T, is divided into threebranches, it' i", each provided with a stop-cock, j j' j, and enteringthe ash-pit B,

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one connected with the spiral column of the is raised in the boilermotion should be com` municated -byithe en gine to the fan R. At thesame time the stop-cock in the pipe i entering -the ash-pit B and thestop-cock in the pipe i result, the fuel on the gra-te will be subjectedto the process of combustion, and as the gases of combustion rise in thefuel-chamber, and are forced through the cylindrical tube or openingin-the air-heater E into the primary comi bustion-chamber G, afresh`current of heated refractory to heat t-han ordinary metal.

air will also be injected into them in their passage through theperforations in the wall of the inner tube of the air-heater E. By thismeans of injecting a current of freslrlieated air` into the combustiblegases in the manner just described the process of combustion in suchgases may be completed and a great saving of fuel realized.

It will be observed that the lower plate ot' thelairheatenE is exposeddirectly to the greatest heat present in the fueLchamber, and the upperplate of said air-heater to the intense heat present in the primarycoinbustion-chamber, thus realizing in said airheater the best possiblemeansfor heating to an intense degree the fresh air that is injectedinto the combustible gases as they pass from the fuel into the i primarycombustion-chamber.

-In ease that ordinary fuelsuch as wood or anthracite'coal-is used inthe fuel-chamber F the secondary airheater is not employed, the gases ofcombustion, without any further chemical change, would pass directly tothe fines of 'the boiler O, and after traversing them would pass to theescape-tine ofthe furnace. i.

I would here remark that in furnaces of limited size the primaryair-heater E may be formed of metal, as the current of fresh air'passingthrough it will keep its temperature below the meltingheat ofiron;butfor large furnaces, for the reduction of ores and minerals, it wouldbe necessary that the surface of the airhe`ater E that is exposed to theheat ot"the primary combustion-chamber G be formed of or protected byfurnace-'brick or some material more In such a case the tubular portionof the air-heater would require to be applied to the lower surface ofsaid heater, extending downward into the fuel-chamber, instead ofupward, as shown, into the primary combustion-chamber, the constructionof it, with this exception, remaining unchanged. l would be understoodto describe this modification.

By the introduction of liquid fuelinto the fuel-receptacle M, and at thesame time by connecting the upright pipe `N with the steam- 'boiler O orfan R, so tha-t a current of air or steam, under pressure, is caused toow rapidly and forcibly through said upright pipe N, it becomes evidentthat liquid fuel in the bottoin of said receptacle M will be conveyed bysaid current of air or steam through the pipe L, and forcibly dispersedin a lateral direction between the two plates ofthe disk K immediatelyabove the cylindrical opening in the primary air-heaterE. ,It will beparticularly observed that this disk Kislocated immediately above thecylindrical opening in the primary air-heater E, so that the dispersionof the liquid fuel would take place in the midst of the current ofcombustible gases as they pass upward from the cylindrical opening inthe primary air-heaterE into the primary combustionchamber Gr, where theheat would be ilitense in degree and all the conditions favorable forneath, ignition of the liquid fuel will readily take place after itsdispersion from the disk K,

,or its injection from a pipe,and its combustion will commence in theprimary co1nbustion` chamber Gr. Then, by opening the stop-cock in thepipe leading to the secondar 7airheater P it becomes evident that thegases resulting from the combustion of the ignited fuel in thefuel-chamber and of the ignited liquid fuel will become mingled withfresh heated air supplied by said air-heater as they pass through thecylindrical tubular portion ot' said heater and be vconsumed in thesecondary combustionchamber formed between the inner surface of thesecondary air-heater and the fuel-surface ot the boiler O. Hence, itwill be clearly understood that for ordinary fuel ignited in thefuel-chamber only the primary air-heater will be necessary to completethe act of com bustion of said fuel; but for liquid or pnlverized fuel,used either alone or in connection with ordinary fuel, the secondaryair-heater will benecessary to complete the process of combustion. Inthe latter case the primary air-heater may, under certain circumstances,be Adispensed with, although its use under certain conditions mightprove a valuable auxiliary.

In the secondary air-heater the cylindrical tubular opening is showndirected toward the fuel-chamber, the reverse in direction ot' thistubular opening, as seen in the primary air-- heater. l would hereremark that under certain circumstances more than one opening may befound advantageous in the air-heater E to connect by a free passage thefuel with the combustion-chamber. In such a case each opening wouldrequire to be connected with the passage (spiral or otherwise) forheating the fresh air to` be discharged into the combustible gases asthey pass from the fuel into .the combustionlOO chamber. Iwould beunderstood as claiming this modification in the construction of theairheater E.

Although the tiues of a steam-boiler for the production of steam areshown as forming the channel for the practical use and application oftheheat claimed from the combustion offuel in thc invention just described,still I would have it clearly understood that I desire to apply the saidheater to the inciting, reduction, and puriiication of ores or minerals,or

for any use to which it may be applied in the arts.v v

By means of the two doors opening into the primary combustion-ch amberGr the ashes from and unconsumed portions ot' the. fuel may be removedfrom said chamber with a proper instrument by the operator.

It will be observed that by this arrangement of the-airheater E, placedabove the grate G in the manner described, the ashes and unconsumedportions of the fuel are prevented from falling upon the surface of theignited fuel in the fuel-chamber, and thus hindering and obstructing itscombustion. After the heat derived from the combustion of the fuel inthe manner set forth has been applied to the production of steam, or themelting', reduction, or purification of ores and mineral, or for anyother purposes for which it may be requisite, there still remains in thepresent methods of its application a certain amount or volume of thesame that is nnutilized, and which is allowed to escape intheexhaust-steam from the steam-engine and up the iiue in the chimney insmelting and other processes in the arts. Now, by directing this volumeof heat that would otherwise be lost through the air-heater E byaproperchannel it becomes evideutthat a portion of it would be communicatedduring its passage through said heater to the current of air that ispassing through the coiled pipe in said heater from the fan It, and bethus transmitted back to the furnace, which would effect a great economyin the use of fuel in the same.

I would here be understood to describe the application of waste heat,from whatever source, to the air-heater, if such an applicationshould be considered desirable,'for the purpose of securing its returntothe furnace in the air supplied by the fan in the manner that has beendescribed; and I would finally add that I desire to describe in thisspecitication, as pertaining to my invention, not. only the use of asingleair-heater and combustion-chamber combined with a fuel-chamber,with or without an apparatus for dispersing fuel for burning certainvarieties of fuel, but also this aforesaid device, in part or in whole,combined with a secondary air-heater and combustion-chamber, for thecombustion of other forms of fuel, as thejudgment of the'operator maydictate; and I Would further add that, for burning liquid fuel, incertain cases the fuel-chamber, as well as the primary air-heater, maybe dispensed with, ignition of theliquid fuel being produced by anordinary gas-jet or the combustion of tinder till the heat is sufficientto continue it.

I am aware that an air-heater consisting of a cylindrical tube having ateach end a free open extremity and inelosing a coiled pipeis not new,but is embraced in another application by me now pending, and do nottherefore claim such in this case.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination of the tubes I I', forming an inclosed annular space,the inner tube having a perforated wall, with the air-heater E, wherebyair is discharged into the airheater for the purpose of heating thesaine for the combustion of fuel in a furnace, as set forth.

2. The air-heater E, composed of the plates a a, having a spiralchannel. b, formed between them for concentrating the combustiblegases`as they pass from the fuel-chamber, for heating fresh air forcombustion, and for mingling the fresh-treated air with the combustihlegases, as set forth. y

3. An air-heater composed of the two plates a a', having the spiralchannel b formed between them, and also provided with the tubes I I',having an inclosed annular space between them, the inner tube beingprovided with the perforations d, substantially as and in the nia-nnerset forth.

4. The air-heating device E, constructed as described, having a centralopening for the concentration and discharge of combustible gases, andalso for mingling with said gases fresh-heated air, in combination withthe fuelchamber F, substantially as and in the manner specified.

5. The primary combastion-chamber G, in

combination with the air-heaterE and disk K,-

for dispersing fuel, substantially as set forth.

6. The fuel-chamber F, air-heater E, and combustion-chamber G, incombination with a secondary air-heater, with disk K, pipes L N, andreceptacle M, for dispersing fuel, as set forth.

7. The adjustable conical air-heater P, constructed and operated in themanner set forth,

in combination with a combustion-chambery that is partly or Whollyformed by t-he concavity within the wall of said air-heater,substantiall y as and for the purposes specified.

8. The pipes z' i i and stop-cocksjjj, iu combination with the ash-pitBand air-heater E, for controlling the tiow of the gaseous element,substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I cl'aim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in presence of two witnesses.

VIRGIL W. BLANCHARD.

Witnesses:

HENRY P. SIssoN. FRANCIS HEAGANY.

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